Finding Joy and New Beginnings

My friend, colleague, and talented poet Doris Washington has written a book that will take you on a journey of faith and joy to new beginnings. This is a book you'll want for yourself, plus some to give to friends and family. You will not be the same after reading it.

Book Description:

The Joy In The Morning and a New Day Begins is all about healing, positive thinking, joy, encouragement, inspiration, the awareness of autism, peace, faith, hope and love. Every chapter of poems enlightens the reader to be inspired to hold on to that joy in the morning, a positive approach to living life, no matter what each new day may bring in the course of our daily lives. May all who read this collection may it give you that joy in the morning we all long for, to have every moment of each day and every day.

Author Bio:

Doris Washington is a spiritual writer, poet, entrepreneur of DORIS' POEMS, disability advocate and author of three books of poems. She has done over 300 book signings across the country. And she has received a letter of acknowledgement from President Barack Obama for her poem This Day, A Promise, A Dream Fulfilled in honor of him. She has received a letter of acknowledgement from Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York for her poem The Sun Still Shines In The Morning in honor of September 2001, and this poem is in the 911 Memorial Museum that was submitted in September 2011, shortly after its opening. Her poems of inspiration has received wonderful appraise by many as truly inspirational. Her desire hopes is that her poems will be an inspiration to many all over the world.

A Soldier For Peace

(In memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.)

Excerpt from Faith, Hope & Love Poems of Inspiration by Doris Washington

A Soldier for peace stands mighty and strong.

He stands against racial injustice,

With the love of God-

He Marches On!

A Soldier for peace fights for the civil rights

Of an oppressed people,

For justice and “sweet liberty.”

A Soldier fights for their dignity,

For their place,

For equal opportunity.

He leads hundreds on sit-ins,

Protests,

Demonstrations for peace,

Fighting for their freedom,

Yours, and mine.

A Soldier for peace stands tall,

As he fights to end racial discrimination for all time.

A Soldier for peace was shot down.

But his fight for freedom and justice for all-

Remains Strong!

This Soldier For Peace-

A Mighty Warrior!

Brother Martin!

Your Memory Lives On!

Soldiers for peace light the candle of hope to burn brightly in the hearts of all.

***A Soldier For Peace copyright c Doris Washington, April 2008. All rights reserved.

To find out more about Doris, to read her 9/11 poem (or others), or to order the book, go to:

www.poetdoriswashington.com

The Joy in the Morning and a New Day Begins

Amazon.com: The Joy in the Morning and a New Day Begins (9781465341051): Doris

BARNES & NOBLE | The Joy in the Morning and a New Day Begins by Doris Washingt

Our Military Heroes...and Those Who Love Them

For anyone who has ever had the privilege of loving and supporting one of our military heroes--particularly a spouse--Jocelyn Green's new book, FAITH DEPLOYED: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives, is the perfect source of guidance and companionship.

With contributing authors from every branch of the U.S. military, this excellent release from Moody Publishers contains not only encouragement for daily living, but also applicable prayers and even resources for military families.

Check it out at www.FaithDeployed.com/ ...and then order a copy for yourself and another copy for a military wife (or two) who just might need a gift of encouragement.

Weary yet still pursuing...

Then Gideon and the 300 men who were with him came to the Jordan
{and} crossed over, weary yet pursuing (Judges 8:4, NASB, emphasis added).

The story about Gideon and his meager band of men defeating a massive enemy gathering is always inspiring to me. First, I’m reminded that no battle is ever won in my own strength. Second, I’m encouraged by the fact that nothing is impossible with God.
This last week, however, as I reread this familiar passage of scripture, three little words jumped right off the page and into my heart: “weary yet pursuing.” Wow. Though this story emphasizes God’s strength and power and sovereignty, it also points out what is required of us as we partner with Him in battle. Certainly we will grow weary, for the battles continue throughout our lifetime here on earth. But even when weary, we are to continue pursuing!
What does that mean? In the story found in Judges 8, we see the victorious Gideon and his 300 men pursuing the pagan kings who had escaped. Though we as believers aren’t called to pursue pagan kings, we are definitely called to pursue the King of kings—even when we are weary—for it is in His presence that our strength is renewed. If we give in to our weariness and fall by the wayside, we will miss seeing the victory that God has already won. And oh, how the enemy would love for that to happen!
Beloved, it is God Himself who fights for us, but He has called us to keep pursuing His heart, His presence, His mercy—even (and most especially) when we are weary. As the world changes about us and life as we have known it melts into the realities of fulfilled prophecy, it is more important than ever to pursue God with each step, clinging to Him and His Word with every breath, refusing to turn aside from following hard after Him (see Psalm 63:8, KJV).
May our motto today and always be that we are “weary yet pursuing,” for God will see that our pursuing is rewarded by His presence!